Personality at the Plate: Lexington Legends Walk-up Music

LEXINGTON, Ky. - The traditional sounds of baseball haven’t changed much over the years: the singing of the national anthem, the crack of the bat, food vendors calling out, “Hot dogs!” But when it comes to the music that plays as a batter steps up the plate, that's a different story.

Baseball walk-up songs are as varied as the players’ personalities. WUKY sat down with three players from the Lexington Legends, a minor league affiliate of the Houston Astros, to get their story behind the song selection.

Delino DeShields, Jr. - 2nd baseman

DeShields has a trio of songs for his walk-up music. Two of them are by Atlanta rappers Ca$h Out (“Cashin' Out”) and Roscoe Dash (“Watchin'”).

“I like having a walk-out song that no one’s really heard before. I’m from Atlanta so there’s a lot of stuff that doesn’t really get out of Atlanta until six months down the road.”

DeShields started thinking about walk-up songs as a teenager when he convinced his high school coaches to allow music during games. The third song in his rotation is a departure from the hip-hop sound: “Sail” by AWOLNATION.

Zach Johnson - 1st baseman

Zach Johnson has also mixed up his walk-up music this season. His first pick was “Tattoos on this Town” by Jason Aldean.

“I had a country song, kind of to go with being in Lexington, Kentucky, because I’m from California. So I did a country song at the beginning of the year and I switched probably about a month ago.”

Now Johnson’s song has a little more of a tougher edge: “Seek & Destroy” by Metallica.

“It was Gordon Beckham’s walk-up song, for the White Sox, and I just kind of liked the beginning part. Not really for the song or anything, just kind of liked the beginning of it,” says Johnson.

Justin Gominsky - Outfield

When it comes to walk-up songs, sometimes players just like the beat, other songs have a special meaning. For outfielder Justin Gominsky, the 80's classic “Electric Avenue” by Eddy Grant has both.

“I’m a little goofy and different. So I think that song best describes me, especially on the field and then off the field.”

A friend suggested the song, and Gominsky says hearing it helps him get loose. You might even see him mumbling some of the words as he steps up to bat.

“Hearing it relaxes me and it makes me feel at home I guess. Makes me more comfortable at the plate, and I mean that’s what you want in a walk-out song.”